If you are a BL fan and you haven't read this, get on it! This is one of the BL that paved the way for yaoi, truly a must read masterpiece.
Also, I really recommend reading the manga before watching the anime. I have done both, and extensively compared them. Although there are only subtle differences. The manga is better since it's suits the time this was published. Everything makes more sense, symbolism is more present, etc.
Old school shounen ai, drama, violence, rape, gangsters, drug use, complex characters, complex story.
The art is old school, of course. With the bubbly faces and tuned up bodies. I find it adorable. I love the most up to date art style for yaoi, but this really doesn't put me off. It's good. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, since there's so much going on plot-wise and the art, as the story, can get dark. With bubbles, dialogues, panels, all over the place. It really shows the mind of this creator. Proceed with caution.
The characters. Hmmm ... It's best if you see for yourself, but they're extremely complex. These characters are faithful to their essence until the end, while still undergoing development. Their reasoning and behavior matches their personalities very well. Everything the characters do is calculated. Very interesting.
The relationship development. It's old school shounen ai, so mature readers will understand it best. Before yaoi became what it is today, BL was portrayed subtly. You won't see the couple being in a relationship at all, but they're gay as fuck for each other. There are subtle homosexual undertones that you have to pick up. The high light of this story is not BL, don't go in reading this expecting romance. What is truly praise worthy is the carefully crafted plot.
The plot... This is no cookie cutter yaoi, this is years ahead of time. This story is meant to break you. It's complex, bittersweet, compelling, truly heartbreaking. Everything in this story has a purpose and they way it started, developed, and ended is symbolic in many ways. Enjoy the story, thoroughly. For real, avoid reading this in one-go. Take your time to process what is happening, reread as much as you need to. Make sure you're following and understanding to the fullest extent that you can, the true beauty of this work.
Banana Fish